(Archive) The Fellowship of the Sword 3 - The Three Knights

On The Road Again

Lebennin: Marble Road - South Sirith Bridge

Crossing the old, white stone bridge that spans the Sirith, the surrounding countryside opens before your eyes. Plush lands between the Sirith and Gilrain river valleys rise toward the mountains in the north. These beautiful ribbons of water drain into the sea to the south. Pelargir is set in the East as a bulwark against the sea. Across the Gilrain to the West lies the shining city of Dol Amroth. The Marble Road traverses the distance between these two Gondorian strongholds.

Contents:

White Pavillion

Thorondur

Obvious exits:

East leads to Pelargir: Inside Elendil\'s Gate.

West leads to Lebennin: Marble Road - West of Pelargir.

[Thorondur(#23126)]

Rain falls lightly upon the rolling plain west of Pelargir. In the eastern distance, the city\'s spires can be discerned against the sky -- climbing again out of the graves of dragonfire. Yet the riders from Dol Amroth -- their fair city now a day and a night behind them -- will not stop here.

A small group rides some miles ahead of the main host, and the Lord Girithlin, Thorondur, leads them. Impatient of late, both the man and his horse seem on edge.

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

Sitting wearily in the saddle beside the Knight-Herald, Drenlyn peers forward longingly at the spires of Pelargir. Sighing he tilts his head to the Herald, \"I take it, Sir Thorondur, that we will press on through the city despite this pleasant drizzle.\" Turning back to the east, Drenlyn sighs once more, and stares longingly to the city.

[Thorondur(#23126)]

A snorted laugh from the knight is all the reply Drenlyn gets, at first -- Thorondur is sipping from a waterskin. Yet when the drink is lowered, he says, \"You like the constant drumming of rain on your helm, Drenlyn? Good.\"

\"We\'ll have enough of that, and snow too, ere we return to Dol Amroth.\"

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

Grinning slightly, Drenlyn replies, \"No weather troubles me, lest we be at sea. But for now my heart yearns to my family, for I have heard naught from them for several months, and now I worry. I just thank the Valar that my sister still lives, for I fear that without her, my mother and father would not be so well.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

Only silence meets those words: talk of family, of parents and sisters the Herald rides on without a word in reply.

Even now, old wounds die hard.

And so they continue forward, away from home, away from the Sea, the steady beating of their horses\' hooves, the pattering of the drizzle on steel their only accompaniment. Thorondur\'s silence is... unusual, and almost begs inquiry.

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

Frowning, Drenlyn encourages his horse forward, \"Begging pardon Thorondur, but what is troubling you? While on matters of duty, you are usually...usually eager to teach us squires some lesson of knighthood.\" Peering nervously up towards his lord,

Drenlyn squints through the bloated droplets that fall from the edge of his helm.

His frown increasing Drenlyn looks towards his lord questioningly, but turns his gaze to the road, tracing its many patterns with his eyes.

\"Nay my Sir, I fear that I know not of the difficulty of reaching knighthood. When I entered the service of the Prince I feared that I would never be made a squire of the blue. But now that I have attained that station, I only seek to do all that I can, to learn the ways of knighthood, hoping that in the many years to come, I may prove myself worthy.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

Where he sits atop the tall white steed, Thorondur nods to himself. \"You answer well,\" he tells Drenlyn. \"But I will tell you: Knighthood is no easy honour to gain, though some Men might win it cheaply. My squires shall not. Yet you must yearn for it, and work for it,\" he insists, \"with all of your body and soul, Drenlyn. All of your days, never forget the ideals and the virtues you are meant to uphold.\"

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

\"I never expected knighthood to ever be won, only earned. I entered the Prince\'s and your service only to keep, through the virtues, the innocent from harm. Alas that I could not save my brother, but I can learn from my loss, and ensure that others need not lose the same.\" Turning his gaze once more to the east, Drenlyn\'s eyes fill with pity, and sorrow as he stares at the ever approaching signs of he city.

[Thorondur(#23126)]

Quick to answer, the White Knight speaks -- the grey rain adding a solemnity to his words even heavier, perhaps, than he intended. \"Well said, lad. Then tell me truly -- how best is Gondor defended?\"

\"By a man full-learned in the use of sword and shield, or a man with half that learning?\"

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

Now turning with concentration written about his face, Drenlyn looks towards his lord, \"Gondor can only be defended by those who are full-learned in the use of weapons, my lord! But I feel that we can only help all in our vast realm, if we are learned in all the ways of the people, and of lore. For to defend with arms is our foremost responsibility, but to enrich the people should be our second.\" His concentration now broken, Drenlyn\'s brow bends with nervousness as he awaits a reply.

Scanning the rest of the party, Drenlyn nods his head slightly as he takes in the full meaning of the Herald\'s words, \"I understand Sir, and I know well the reason, or at least some of the reason for his absence.\"

\"But I swear this my lord, by Ulmo who hears all, I will seek only the knighthood and my skill in arms, before I will seek to pursue the vast arts of lore and healing. I will protect the people before I will teach them. For how can one teach and heal, those that he cannot protect?\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"You show wisdom beyond your years, Drenlyn,\" Thorondur says to that, a mild note of approval shining through -- through his grim voice, and the rain, and the day\'s damp clouded gloom. \"How indeed? For one who goes forth as such lacks the mandate of strength, and valour, and virtue.\"

\"I take you with me, Drenlyn,\" the knight admits, \"because I do not fear for you, in battle. You will acquit yourself well. Valgrim? A gifted lad, if he would only -use- those gifts, and not waste them.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

From the western road their comes a rider and his hound. There is no mistake here, for it is Indilzar and Huan the Hound. Coming the White Pavillion, Indilzar dismounts and glances up at the sky. His mood is dark by the look on his face.

\"Teaching the squire?\" the knight inquires of Thorondur.

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

Letting out a brief smile, Drenlyn replies solemnly, \"I thank you Thorondur, for I would not go into battle myself if I felt that I would be a hindrance to you. I only hope that I shall acquit myself as well as you foresee.\"

Sitting up at the voice of the coming Knight, Drenlyn\'s smile broadens, and his glance strays to the hound as his eyes are lost in a reminiscence of an earlier time.

[Thorondur(#23126)]

The small party of outriders is joined by Indilzar Bragollach, and at their head the Knight-Herald smiles wanly. In defiance of the rain and its mild but steady oppression, he removes his helm -- to see the other more clearly. \"Teaching, if not formally, I suppose,\" he admits.

\"But what say you, Drenlyn? Have you learnt aught? For otherwise I am doing naught but talking.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"This is well,\" says Indilzar frankly, \"there will be much time to teach on the long road before us. For did you not hear the omen that the wraith spoke? \'Into the north they shall go.\'

A pause by the Black Knight, and then, \"I have been to the north myself. The lands of Dunland and beyond, where their are strange folk.\"

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

Shaking his head slightly, as if waking from a dream, Drenlyn frowns at the rain. Smiling he replies to the Herald, \"I have indeed Thorondur, for a squire should always learn what he can of his lord\'s will, and especially of the path to knighthood, and it\'s many temptations.\"

Breaking his smile, Drenlyn frowns as Indilzar speaks, a look of worry traces his face, but no words come.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"I have seen... many things,\" says Thorondur of the North, and no more -- he is not asked, and volunteers nothing of it. Yet many have heard those tales by now, and some need not be repeated -- not yet. Rather does he say to his squire, \"Listen not for my -will- lad,\" instructs the Herald, \"but the truth behind it. Not the actions, nor the words -- but why they are done, and said.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"Aye,\" says Indilzar to Drenlyn, \"Your master speaks aright. Words can oft be twisted and turned to the likes of the sayer. Men of Gondor are doers of deeds. By them let us be judged.\"

Thus the Champions of Gondor ride forth from their fastnesses and come by different paths to the bold company which has undertaken the great Quest -- for hard on the heels of Indilzar, the pounding of hooves can be heard to the South.

And he comes forth from the looming city walls with a hailing cry -- the Silver Knight, Lord of the Isilrim, and with him ride three Squires, the Prince\'s own.

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

Worry still traces Drenlyn\'s face, but he replies swiftly, \"Yes my lords. I listen to the words, it is only a comfort that the truth behind them is the same as that which I hold dear.\"

Turning now to the Lord Bragollach, \"Indeed my lord, for deeds tell truer than words, or so I have been taught in my youth.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"Well said,\" says Thorondur to Indilzar, and Drenlyn as well -- then wondering aloud, \"But I had not known you had rode beyond that unsavoury land of the Dunmen, Indilzar. Tell me, what did you see there... eh?\"

And now Arnafel has joined them, and a glad cry parts the Girithlin\'s lips, from which have passed little but solemnities this dim and loveless day.

\"Now here is an omen for you, Indilzar! For three knights ride ahead, and they are Black, and White, and Silver! Make of -that- what you will!\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Then a glance looks back at Arnafel as he approaches, \"It is the Lord Isilrim. I ponder if he would bring the son of Sirion with him.\"

A smile passes over his face for a moment as if sharing a dark private joke with himself only before he speaks again, \"If I am to bear the name of Black, then only utter darkness shall bar me from this task. I am ill of heart at this outset. For over thirty generations my house has sworn fealty to the line of the Princes and never before have I known of such a thing as this... this walking ghost. My heart forebodes that this might be the last ride of the Bragollach, and without an heir to my fortunes save my avaricious half-brother or my arachnid sister to sit like vultures over the corpse of my House, which was damaged enough by the deeds of my cousins.\"

\"The colours of Gondor -- perhaps they will prove true on this quest.\"

And Arnafel curbs his steed to the company\'s pace even as he draws abreast of them, and the three youths do likewise.

\"Hail Girithlin, Bragollach. And greetings to you, Squire.\"

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

Sitting back in his saddle, Drenlyn\'s eyes turn to each of the knights, focusing on Arnafel, Drenlyn nods and replies, \"Greetings lord.\" But no more. Turning his gaze back to Pelargir, Drenlyn again is lost in the gloom of the day, and in the memories of innocence lost.

[Thorondur(#23126)]

Taken aback by the Flame-Lord\'s words of doom and darkness, the noble Herald\'s eyes betray a certain relief when Arnafel, at least, reads his omen rightly.

\"Lord Isilrim,\" he says by way of greeting, raising a palm. \"My squire, Drenlyn son of Drenethiler. Drenlyn... have you met the Lord Arnafel ere now?\" And yet despite these introductions, fair and hopeful, Thorondur looks upon proud Indilzar with concern.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Indilzar sighs and glances back at Thorondur for a long moment. His grey eyes meet his blue and for a moment their is a flicker in them, \"Nay. Not yet shall I go by a craven way. For I am yet young, and the Lord of my House. What greater honour is their? Forth I shall ride, and if he wishes, Huan shall go with us and on this hunt, I shall be the companion. Let our quest be a marvel of the Three great houses: Bragollach, Girithlin and Isilrim!\"

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

\"Pardon my lords. Nay Sir Herald...at least not directly, though I most assuredly know who the Lord Arnafel is.\" A look of concern wafts over Drenlyn\'s face as the Lord Bragollach speaks, \"But I sadly do not know the full meaning behind this quest.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"Neither do we,\" says Indilzar with laughter, \"An omen was spoken by this fiend of hell, but I do not rightly guess all the words. Ost-in-Edhil the Green knight said - and Anarion\'s sword.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"It takes a Bragollach,\" Thorondur marvels, \"to speak of the fiends of Udun itself with laughter.\" Yet giving himself the lie, he too cracks a faint, sly smile. \"Ost-in-Edhil is known to me, if little else of what we must do. The Sword of Anarion? Was it not crushed with him, beneath the flung rock, upon the plain before the Tower we do not name?\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"So the tales tell,\" nods Indilzar grimly, \"And it had been lost in all tales that I have read. That is why we must seek out Denethor. For if anyone in this land knows such lore, none shall know it more than he. Yet I do not look forward to the meeting. Denethor is a hard man and he will not be pleased to see so many knights go on such a \'wild\' errand.\"

Then another almost fatal pause by Indilzar, \"Denethor sees much.\"

Turning from the youths who ride with him -- and what he said to them is lost beneath the grand proclamations of the Black Knight -- the Isilrim inclines his brow to Drenlyn, \"You will not be the only Squire to ride with us, at the least. The Prince\'s own have chosen to come, even though he could not.\"

And behind him, the Squires murmur greetings -- the high spirits of youth dampened, perhaps, by the thoughts of what must surely lie ahead.

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

Sitting erect in the saddle, Drenlyn gazes intently between the knights, as if trying to absorb the very words that they speak. His brow bent, the rain bounces continuously upon his help, and yet he remains motionless, eager on every word. Smiling as the knight speaks, Drenlyn nods, \"It is well. For I would be very sad to not have the company of my fellows upon such a vague quest. I fear that much will pass before it ends, and it will leave a deep mark upon most if not all.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"Too much, I sometimes think,\" comes Thorondur\'s reply, almost whispered now. As the westering autumn sun sinks lower, the spires of Pelargir fade into dusk and dim, and more hushed seems every sound -- even voices.

Then to Arnafel looks the Herald in the gathering gloom, and smiles a wan, sad smile. \"He has not chosen, my friend, though he would have, I doubt not. I have taken my own squires, save one -- whose own disinterest in his training made such an inclusion a risk of his life.\"

\"Drenlyn, though,\" says Thorondur... \"Drenlyn will acquit himself well, I think.\"

\"May your words be proved true, Girithlin. And Bragollach\" -- now Arnafel turns again to the Knights with arched brow -- \"perhaps you speak truly. But Denethor will yet do all he may to aid us, I deem. The ties which bind the Steward and the Prince are greater than those merely of lord and vassal.\"

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

Nodding at the words of the Herald, Drenlyn smiles with agreement, \"I hope that I will rise to the tasks given to me, and that my training will hold me true to my intent.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"To that,\" says Indilzar catching the change in conversation, \"I am bringing with me Galadras and Mathollor. Galadras is but a cub in the yard, hardly weaned from his mother\'s tit. Mathollor too, has much to learn, but he may be promising.\"

Then a slow, almost nefarious smile, \"Unless there is an unfortunate accident.\"

Then the son of Indilkhor catches the last words of Arnafel and he says softly, \"Perhaps. I shall not judge the Steward, so long as he gives us aid in our right cause. If not - well, we shall see, but I will not let my liege\'s son languish in the bonds of a demon.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"Perhaps because our Prince is no mere vassal,\" opines the Herald, looking off to the faraway north, intent on... what? \"He need not give his fealty to the Steward -- yet he does, like his fathers before him, for the office the Steward holds against the King\'s return. As for Denethor...\"

Chuckling darkly to himself, Thorondur says, \"He is a hard man.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"Have I ever told you, my friends,\" Thorondur asks, of a sudden more light in his voice, and his saddle, \"of how once the Steward himself vented his great spleen upon me?\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"Yet I would venture to say Lord-Herald,\" replies Indilzar, \"that in such days a strong will is needed to bind us. Anyone lesser would not be able to hold the Shadow back.\"

Indilzar coughs suddenly at Thorondur\'s quip and takes a flask from his side. He swigs it down for a moment and spits out the remaining liquid before saying, \"I daresay I have not heard of it.\"

\"There seem to be many unfortunate accidents among the Squires who serve you, Bragollach\", replies Arnafel dryly. \"But...\"

And grave again he grows, \"Aid or no, I deem there are none who would turn aside from this quest and shirk their duty. But it would still be welcome indeed, for the Lord-Steward can see much which is hidden from the sight of others\" -- and he glances to Thorondur then, with a faint smile, \"You have not told me at the least...but I have heard tales enough of it.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

With this mandate from friends and from squire in hand, the Lord Herald -- versed in letters and song as well as in lance and in sword, it is known -- takes up the tale with a certain vigour.

\"I was yet young, and no more than a few months a knight,\" Thorondur begins, \"when the Prince had prepared a vast fleet. A fleet,\" he recounts, \"for the invasion of Umbar.\" He glances sidelong at Drenlyn, to see if the lad is listening.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Laughing, Indilzar throws out his hands in dismay, \"It is not my fault they do not listen to me.\"

He then looks to Thorondur, \"The Second Haradraic War?\"

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

Drenlyn, intent as ever, leans forward in the saddle. His eyes searching the Herald\'s face for meaning as every word flows into the deep eyes of the squire.

And as the dread name of Umbar is spoken, the Knight-Admiral -- who better than him to know the perils of that dark land -- glances to Indilzar, for the Black Knight\'s oath is a matter of many songs and tales. Yet, he holds his peace for now.

[Thorondur(#23126)]

As the long kings\' road passes step by step beneath them, Thorondur tells his tale.

\"Indeed,\" he agrees with Indilzar, \"The Second (Modern) Haradaic War. By sea and by land, we meant to flank them. I rode with the cavalry. One night in our camp upon the desert, I sat about joking amidst some men of fair Pelargir yonder.\" He waves a hand off south, toward the gloom-vanished spires.

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"In those days it was rumoured that the Steward kept--\"

Glancing toward Drenlyn, Thorondur recants his words -- whatever he\'d meant to say -- and says instead, \"That he often kept company with a certain lady of the Healing Halls. The truth of it, I know not -- yet I said this then, loudly, and a green-hooded man heard me speak, afar beyond our firelight....\"

Silent yet behind their lord, the three Squires urge their steeds closer now, to listen to this tale -- the first of many perhaps, which will be told on the perilous journey ahead.

And in Arnafel\'s eyes, unreadable as the grey seas, amusement flashes briefly -- the White Knight\'s words are no less understood -- by him, at least -- for being unspoken.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Glancing south, Indilzar laughs, \"The Steward? I cannot believe that. I too served in those early wars and in the first I was the squire of Menelhil for a time before I completed my training by my father. I too heard such rumours, but I cannot believe them. Unless Finduilas was... well, no matter.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"He cast back his hood, and lo! The Steward himself had come among us, and all marveled that he should leave his Citadel!\"

Ruefully, Thorondur laughs. \"Suffice it to say, he was none too pleased to hear such things spoken of his own dour self. I was commanded to ride at the head of the charge -- and face the brunt of the Southron, when battle was joined.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"\'Tis a good tale,\" says Indilzar evenly, \"But I shall like it better when you ask the Steward if he remembers of it when we see him.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"The Princess Finduilas was, alas, long dead in those days as she is even now, the blessed lady,\" Thorondur says, \"but let us thank the Valar for women--\"

\"The Southrons sent their -women- to face our charge!\" And at -that- does the Herald laugh long and loudly. \"By a woman was I cursed,\" he chuckles, \"and by virtue of women was I saved.\"

\"Menelhil...\"

That famed lord\'s name is murmured by the Silver Knight, no more, and his gaze grows distant, as if the tale goes unheard -- \"A...subtle man indeed.\"

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

Raising his eyebrows, Drenlyn\'s mouth gapes slightly as the Herald continues, his face filled with amazement briefly before a smile fills it as the tale ends.

[Thorondur(#23126)]

Yet Thorondur now falls silent at Indilzar\'s comment, or this talk of Menelhil of the Telpekhiri. Such subjects are dark, and his own lack of answer speaks volumes itself.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"He was interesting to observe,\" remarks Indilzar. That is all he will say on that topic, \"Now, do you think we should go into Pelargir for the night? Or perhaps ride through and perhaps save time?\"

And shaking his head then, as if he seeks to dismiss whatever thoughts hold him, the Knight-Admiral replies, \"These are settled lands. Riding through would serve us better, I deem.\"

And he flashes an amused glance to Thorondur then, \"A worthy tale, Girithlin. And indeed, the Southrons have strange customs and ways about them. Never before have I seen folk who will reply to a cavalry charge with one of their own -- on foot!\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"Charge? You jest,\" quips Thorondur now, grinning openly as he answers Arnafel. \"They happily stood still and lined up for our lances!\"

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

Lost in these tales of days before his time, and the silence enshrouded names of Knights, Drenlyn peers through the gloom in the direction of the city. Smiling at the Knight\'s discussion, his gaze remains steady and hope fills his face, but is quickly hidden at the Knight-Admiral\'s suggestion.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"Their battle tactics leave much to be desired,\" quips Indilzar, \"Their men and women are fodder. I have been to that city and life is no more valued than a copper.\"

A derisive snort is given by Indilzar, \"Of course they would Thorondur. For what southron maiden would pass a chance to ravish the valour of Dol Amroth?\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"I can name at least one,\" Thorondur remarks, \"One whom I fought that day, who later thought she might come unbidden and unnoticed to Dol Amroth itself! yet we unmasked her quick enough, the dusky whore. That one,\" he tells Arnafel, \"was passing friendly with your Menelhil, as well.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"I will be glad to be rid of women for now,\" says Indilzar with a brief smile on his face, \"Though when we do return, I shall meet this kinswoman of yours. By then I think I shall wish to settle.\"

\"They seek to ravish the valour of Dol Amroth in a manner its Knights would like little, I deem. Nay, not even Erindil of the Telpekhor would welcome it. And if she was friendly with Menelhil the Tall\", Arnafel replies -- the Squire\'s disappointment does not go unmarked by his keen gaze -- \"..then I do not doubt she rued it ere the end.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"A brave man,\" Thorondur admits, \"but the subtler have their faults, good Arnafel. Do not allow valour in the field to blind you to whispers at midnight.\" These words are dark -- too much so, perhaps, and the Girithlin knows it -- he sighs.

\"Forgive me. As I said to Drenlyn this noon... some wounds still pain me.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Clearing his throat for a moment, Indilzar says to Arnafel, \"I have heard that Sirion III will be riding with us. Is this true? Not that I wish to change the topic, but as much as I love women I would like to give thought to road ahead.\"

[Drenlyn(#19482)]

\"Indeed, Sir Herald, but I am lost in this talk of women and whisperings, and look more to our lodging, lest the gloomy clouds above us be our roof tonight.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Indilzar smiles for a moment, \"The Heroes Inn perhaps?\"

\"His darker deeds are not unknown to me, Girithlin. But whispers have little power over those who pay no heed to them...as the Lord Menelhil has\" -- and again, that gaze grown distant for a moment.

\"...learnt.\" And he dismisses the matter with a wave of his hand, \"But come, no more of this. It would be wise to stop in this place for the night. There are others who ride behind us, and we may well pass each other in the dark.\"

\"Nay, Bragollach -- he desires to, but I forbade him\", the Silver Knight replies to Indilzar, \"It is enough that the Lord of the Isilrim rides on this quest. I will not have its heir follow him into darkness.\"

\"And\", he continues with arched brow, \"You would ride back to the city now?\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"I would ride only to Pelargir, for now,\" replies Indilzar gently, \"there is enough to worry about. Now Thorondur, I am curious, and would know where you have been in the north? You fell silent before and this fills me with a foreboding. I journeyed far with Huan at my side, but no tale of mine is not so dark as not to tell.\"

\"Do so if you desire it, Bragollach...but as for me\" -- the Silver Knight\'s gaze sweeps over the wide lands around them -- \"I will spend the night in this place. Erchirion will seek us upon the road, not in the city.\"

He says no more -- no mention is made of the north, that desolate land of forgotten dreams and lost glories.

But to the White Knight he casts a swift glance, and for a fleeting moment, a strange light glints in his grey eyes -- for in this at least, there are matters unspoken of between the two.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Frowning for a moment he says, \"Oh very well. If you two wish to be waifs in the wild, then I shall do so as well. Though I will rue missing the red wine of the Hero\'s Inn.\"

\"I shall hold you both accountable for every discomfiture I have,\" Indilzar wags a finger at the two but he smiles.

\"Then you will have a long tally indeed to present at the end of our quest, Bragollach\", Arnafel replies with a rare smile.

[Thorondur(#23126)]

Long is Thorondur silent on the question of his fellow-knights -- spoken by one, given no voice save a glance, by the other. Of the camp he says nothing, but to the other --

\"Not dark,\" speaks Thorondur at last, \"Though I at least have dreamt darker dreams in the North than the shade of Erech. say rather too light, and too bright, Indilzar, for speaking....\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"Your account shall be remembered well,\" says Indilzar grimly and with menace in his eyes. He then pulls his cape about him and then says, \"Though I might guess there shall be feasts ahead on our road, and perhaps even a bed.\"

Indilzar nods to Thorondur, \"Girithlin, you speak in riddles to me and I shall not even attempt to enter your thought. Rather I will give myself to other thoughts. Such as Erchirion. I heard he is to go. Of this I am concerned. There is no need to lose two of the Sons of Imrahil.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"Your thoughts are dark and filled with worry, Indilzar,\" Thorondur observes. \"This is not like you.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"I know,\" says Indilzar after a moment, \"I do not like it either. Rather I would have a sword in my hand and my foe before me. I do not like the thought of hunting down relics for wraiths.\" There is a shudder on the part of Bragollach, \"It is not for Men to deal with such matters.\"

To Thorondur, another glance -- and the smile is gone from the Silver Knight\'s visage the light of wonders once seen but never forgotten, returned to his eyes.

But when he speaks, it is in reply to Indilzar, \"I have little fear for the Guardian of the Tower. His father\'s will is in him -- and it will not be beaten down or daunted by the path we must travel.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"Still,\" says Indilzar dourly, \"I will not have him lead us. Let us just keep him out of harm and hopefully bring him back alive.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"And if not Men, then who? Who, Indilzar, save the Secondborn Children? The ways of the world have changed,\" says the Herald, \"and the Eldar fade.\" Or Erchirion he says nothing, till the Black Knight is done, and then: \"Lead us? He has not the experience. But ere the end his sword may yet prove worthy.\"

\"The Girithlin speaks truly. And Erchirion will surely be grateful\", the Isilrim comments dryly, turning away from the Black Knight, \"...to hear that you mean to protect him thus, Bragollach.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"Many tales are woven into the fates of the Firstborn Thorondur,\" says Indilkhor\'s son, \"and I deem that we shall tread paths that should not be tread by Men in this age.\"

Indilzar shrugs at the words of Arnafel, \"I do not wish to protect him. He is a man, though perhaps soft from the Ladies of the Court. I just do not wish for this cub in the yard to think he shall dole out orders just because he is his father\'s son. He may have reached his manhood in years, but he is still a child who has yet to make his bones.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"I remember his days as a squire,\" Thorondur murmurs, \"when I was but a new-made knight...\"

His voice trails off into silence -- but does not remain there. \"This talk of our Prince\'s sons reminds me painfully, my lords. I have left behind his daughter, and I like -that- little. I am her sworn champion.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Indilzar laughs for a moment and says, \"That is well and good, but do not let that fear you. She will be as safe as anywhere in Dol Amroth. To be a sworn champion is an honour, I am sure, but this is a deed that must be done.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"I ride for the sake of her brother,\" Thorondur admits, \"but the parting\'s no easier for that.\" And then he falls silent, to say no more of Lothiriel.

\"You think too poorly of Erchirion, Bragollach\" -- ever onward under the darkling sky, the Knights and their Squires ride, and the glory of that which was wrought by Varda Starkindler can be seen in the skies even now.

\"He has been blooded in Osgiliath, and upon the very docks of Dol Amroth. But come, if we mean to stop for the night, here is a good place to do so.\"

Indilzar slows his steed, Morang and says, \"We shall see Arnafel Isilrim. We shall see.\"

He looks at distant Pelargir and sighs saying, \"I begin my tally now Lord Arnafel. You may need several scribes to record it all by the time this is all done.\"

[Thorondur(#23126)]

\"And perhaps you regard him too highly,\" Thorondur tells Arnafel, chuckling as Indilzar speaks of his tallies, and slowly they prepare for a halt. \"This quest, I think, shall tell us much of many Men--\" and here does he glance, again, toward Drenlyn. \"Of squires and knights -- and princes too.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"And kings,\" murmurs Indilzar as he dismounts at length.

\"And kings...\", the Silver Knight echoes thoughtfully, drawing rein and dismounting, even as the Squires do likewise.

And thither they stand in the tides of gathering darkness -- a company of the Men of Numenor lost.

A company of light.